You can make your own freeze dried liver treats for dogs if you own a freeze dryer. It’s a good use of a freeze dryer, and helps make a freeze dryer worth it. Liver treats for dogs are great due to being single source protein, and the freeze drying process removes the mess, and makes them great for training and treat work too.
A freeze dryer is a versatile homestead tool that you can use for many different preserved items. You may be familiar with freeze dried candy, or freeze dried fruits.ย Or, maybe you’ve experimented with some of the more unique and delicious freeze dried treats like freeze dried ice-cream, or freeze dried eggnog. But, did you know that you can also use your freeze dryer to make pupper approved freeze dried liver treats? Best of all, there’s no preservatives needed after the liver’s run through the freeze dryer!
If you have a pup or dog owner on your list for Christmas. These liver treats for dogs can be a great Holiday gift, either on their own for the pup, or as part of a household gift basket. Your own pup may also love these treats as a holiday gift.
If anyone in your household has grain allergies, like a wheat allergy, making your own liver treats can also be a great way to avoid bringing allergens into your household. I make a few bags of these treats each winter for both my own dogs, and for my daughter’s dog, as we have allergies in both households and it makes life that little bit easier.
What Liver to Use:
Use the liver you have available, especially if you’re a homesteader who raises their own animals. Otherwise, if you’re purchasing liver, you can use beef liver or chicken liver. Most purchased liver will already have the gallbladder removed, if you’re using liver from your own animals make sure to remove the gall bladder during the cleaning process.
Preparing Liver for Freeze Drying:
Freeze dried liver is raw liver, that is put through the freeze drying process. This keeps it in a raw state, so make sure these treats are only for your dog, cat, or other pet.
Slice the liver into 1 inch cubes, or slightly smaller depending on the size of your pet and the desired purpose. A training reward should be about a half an inch square. A general treat can be one inch by one inch. Aim to have similar sized pieces throughout. A medium Harvest Right freeze dryer will hold about 6-8 pounds of liver once chopped.
Freeze Dried Liver for Dogs Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 6-8 pounds fresh or thawed beef or chicken liver
- 1 freeze dryer
Directions:
- Prep and cube your liver. Beef liver requires more cubing than chicken livers. Chicken livers can simply be sliced into quarters or sixths.
- Lay the liver out on your freeze dryer trays, make sure to use a parchment or reusable liner. Pre-freeze in your freezer, or in the freeze dryer machine.
- Run 24-36 hours or until the liver is fully dried. There should be no trace of moisture.
- Store in small or medium mylar bags with an oxygen absorber. Seal and label the bags.
Instructions for Safe Storage: Your homemade freeze dried liver treats for dogs (and cats) will keep for up to 20 years in proper storage. Avoid storing freeze – dried treats in direct sunlight, or next to a heat source. Aim for a cool, dark, dry place for storage if your goal is long term shelf-life.
Why these Dog Treats are Great:
These single sourced, high protein dog treats are great for dogs with allergies to grains. There are no grains, or fillers, in these treats. They are simply beef liver, chicken liver, or whatever liver you have on hand as a homesteader. Dogs love the simple flavors of liver, and liver is packed with vital nutrients for your pup. Beef liver dog treats are a no-brainer for your pup, and if you have the freeze dryer and liver, a no brainer to make.
Liver is relatively inexpensive, and making your own treats is a great way to avoid the convenience tax and pet tax from pet stores and treat suppliers. Your furry friend will love these raw dog treats, and you can even use the crumbles as a kibble or food topper. Freeze dried food is very, very, dry so make sure your pet has plenty of fresh water available after they have the treats.
Make your own freeze-dried beef liver treats for dogs, and have a happy pooch and a happy pocket book.
More Dog Treats:
If you don’t own a freeze dryer, there are other homemade dog treats that you can make. First, you can make liver treats for dogs by simply slicing or cooking liver and giving it to them. It’s not as mess free as the freeze dried version, but it’s workable if you don’t own a freeze dryer. Dehydrating liver is not recommended, even for pets. Dried liver treats should only be freeze dried for safety.
You can try these turmeric dog biscuits, and these turmeric chews for dogs as alternatives too. They also would go well in a dog focused gift basket.
Back to You:
What type of treats do your dog(s) like best? Want to know if they can be homemade? Leave a comment and ask!
I heard that it is hard to get the smell out of freeze dryer after doing liver, is this true?
No. I just wash it down with soap and water. If you are worried about the smell of onions, garlic, liver, etc. put a paper towel over your trays when you put them into the freeze dryer. Then discard the towel. It absorbs the odor and you have an easier to clean freeze dryer.